Photographer's Note

The Melbourne International Tall Ships Festival almost passed me by; I knew it was on but nearly missed completely the opportunity to see them. It was only by chance that last Thursday I was sitting having a coffee at Williamstown's Nelson Place, with two little dogs in tow, when I noticed an unusually large amount of car and pedestrian traffic going to and coming from the Seaworks dock. It was then that I remembered! I walked the dogs hastily down to the pier, through the reception area and out on to the pier where hundreds were massed to see the docked ships. It was difficult to take photos with the dogs' leashes being too short to raise one hand to the camera, but I managed to get some reasonable shots all the same.

Nine ships sailed up Port Phillip Bay to dock at Williamstown on the 6th September - 4 Australian, and 5 from Indonesia, the UK and the Netherlands. I had really wanted to photograph them in full sail on the bay, but didn't even manage to catch them motoring up to the pier a few minutes earlier, before I had even remembered the festival. The first ship on the left side is the Dutch vessel "Oosterschelde", while on the right is the British "Lord Nelson" from Southampton, one of only two tall ships specially designed to enable people of all physical abilities to sail side-by-side as equals.

The festival finished yesterday, Saturday 14 September, when the ships sailed down the bay to shelter in an inlet overnight before sailing out on to the open sea through the narrow 'Rip' today.

As I left Seaworks I noticed that dogs were not allowed and that the entry fee was $7; somehow, I had managed to avoid both of these strictures.

Thank you very much for your interesting notes.
Sail ships are real a nostalgia for a lot people, also for my I was by the navy as soldier 1959-60
Clarity and sharpness are of high quality.
Depth and perspective be superb.
Excellent composition, lovely presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Hi Andrew
It's always a pleasure to see these great ships, and I'm glad you remember as this is a great catch of them. Not on,y the huge masts are great but also the beautiful cityscape behind. Nice one!
Cheers
Noel

Hello Andrew
Tall Ships always attract a big crowd and the festive mood is very palpable in this scene.
These ships are certainly beautiful and for a land rat like myself very fascinating.
Beautiful how the ships dwarf the distant city.
have a great sunday
Daniel

Hello Andrew,
Not easy to take pictures with one dog as I know; two must be that more difficult. However, there are no sign of any problems in the taking of this well presented image. I like the lively atmosphere. Also, the point of view looking through the forest of masts whilst everything is set in context on the right. The square format is ideal. Superb technical presentation with excellent light, colours and clarity.

Hello Andrew,
I rather like the irony of you placing the person in the wheel chair slap in front of the frame, being as, as you mention in your note a couple of the ships are specially designed for the less able.
The square format is perfect for this nice clear shot showing as it does not only the details of the rigging but also the buildings of the City in the BG.
It looks as if there`s a nip in the air!
Kind regards Les.

I had to laugh as I read your notes because that has happened to me on a number of occasions, when the sudden desire to catch a particular shot has erased all thoughts of access or admittance from my mind!
You were lucky to have had your camera with you when walking the dogs, or do you always have it with you!

I must say, you have done well to get the whole masts in shot and compose them in such a way that they give a great continuity of height, and a sense of scale and depth, to the b/g skyscrapers.
The ships are magnificent, taking centre stage from the converging lead lines. I love the sense of busy interest created by the figures. It helps to give that sense of 'occasion'.

When looking at newly posted photos in the gallery yesterday your photo one of the few thata caught my attention. First and foremost I noticed the excellent and very attractive lighting. The composition is also very good partly through your choice of square format where the wooden constructions on the pier starting in each of the bottom corners add dynamics. This is further enforced by people walking in opposite directions. Great that it was possible to include the tall masts of the ships in its entirety. The glimpse of city in the background is an extra bonus. I like it at lot. Your note is also very good, informative and with a personal touch. TFS and have fine week!

Hi Andrew.
Pride pier perspective on this wonderful photo, all those sailboats give a great atmosphere and create a special atmosphere of charm and beauty, the presence of all these people gives a very vital to the image.
Good bonus image of the city in the distance.
Good management of light and sharpness. Well done.
Have a good evening.
Best wishes.
Luis.

Hi Andrew. A beautiful photo with many details. The sunny day is ideal for a stroll in the port area. The sailboats are of course a particularly eye-catching. Very nice colors - and the light is fantastic. And last but not least: the slightly overcast sky like it very much.
Rgds, Wolfgang.

Looks cold, judging from the people's attire. The burgundy red cardigan contrasts well against the blue water / sky. Good sharpness and diminishing linear perspective is added by the converging dual lines of the pier. Superb density and nice graphism of the white masts and rigging against the blue sky. Tfs!

Hi Andrew. I didn't know that you were such a keen walker and your cute dogs were so fit to walk all the way to Williamstown!Nice photo despite the tug-of-war. One does get the sense of "tall" in this image. Excellent light on what was a sunny day. Regards. Klaudio.

Hi Andrew
What a fine presentation in brilliant rich tones, contrast and the majestic looking ships and the high masts nicely framed side by side You are smart technically spot on with the composition while we get to enjoy the full view of the vista, its full of vigour, speck of vivid colours all awaiting to be included as very strong elements. The mouth watering deep blue water and sky clinched the shot so brilliantly. You grabbed the moment beautifully Congrats, TFS
Warm regards

You jammy devil, no fee but great photos. I think these ships are the ones that sailed into Sydney Harbour over the weekend for the Naval Exhibition. I like the symmetry here, the tow side of the dock leading the eye into the central exhibit. The colours are crisp and so naturally contrasted and the sense of movement, with the inclusion of the people, is a necessary addition. Oh - and a blue sky in Melbourne -some things never cease to amaze ;)

May be when the festival was going there would be so much people to take a good photo
Anyway you obtained a good capture helped with the quite impacting sky of Melbourne, which buildings are seen at the back
Original and well done, greetings and tfs

Maria
Note
I cropped the sky and add a note at the photo, tthanks for the advise
Some two years ago, these ships come to Buenos Aires, I forgot till the last night they stayed, a friend call to remind me of them, we arrived at the port , the ships were fully illuminated, lots of people and suddenly all was dark, the show was over told me a police, next day they sailed back to their countries very early in the morning

Hello, Andrew,
The tall ships and the steam-locomotives are always very attractive for our generation and good objects for the photography. I really like this composition, perfect quality! The colors and sharpness are great! The note is very informative, yes I have see the Holland flag on the left side.
Best wishes,
Serghei